The Montgomery Advertiser asked the candidates for State Senate District 25, Democrat David Sadler and Republican Will Barfoot, three questions about their policies and beliefs. Each was allowed to answer in their own words within a 150 word limit. Here are their responses.

1. After hearing from voters, what do you feel is the most pressing issue facing your district and how do you hope to address it?

Barfoot: Education and economic development are the two major issues I hear most often when speaking with voters.

In Montgomery, our public schools are failing our students and our teachers and has led to a higher crime rate. It’s important that the state’s takeover of the school system succeed. We must ensure that teachers have the ability to teach our students using innovative methods because there’s no one size fits all approach to education. We must also provide vocational skills for those who do not want to seek a 4-year college diploma. We have a desperate need for skilled plumbers, automobile mechanics, welders and technicians. It’s important that we do not ignore, but rather promote, the learning of those skills by those students who are interested in those career paths.

Jobs and economic development are also on top of mind for most voters. Although we have the lowest unemployment rate that we’ve had in decades, we must work to recruit more high paying jobs to this district. Recruiting those high paying jobs is directly impacted by the quality of our educational system.
Sadler: After speaking with the residents in our district, we believe that education is at the top of the list.

Keeping our kids first must be the driving force in addressing the issues of public schools. Finding out what has worked in the past and talking to other cities or states that have found success with programs that they have implemented would be beneficial. I spoke with Mayor Jerry Willis of Wetumpka, who has found success with what they are doing and who is open to talks. I also believe that we have to give the local elected school board members the opportunity to bring about reform for their schools.

2. Montgomery Public Schools receives the state minimum property tax and has struggled to keep its budget at state-required levels for years. If elected, would you support a public vote to raise property taxes? Why or why not?

Barfoot: The state of Alabama’s most recent education budget is the second largest in history, however the vast majority of the schools in the Montgomery Public Schools system continue to struggle while schools in other areas of the state are succeeding. Money is not the solution to the problem. Most of the issues pointing out by the accreditation board had nothing to do with money. I am very interested in seeing what the state finds from their takeover of the school system.

Sadler: I would support a public vote to raise property taxes. Why? To keep it simple, "we the people," the people of this great state, should have a say in what they think a fair or affordable property tax should be.

3. Without an incumbent to run against, the district is guaranteed new leadership with neither District 25 candidate having Legislature experience. If elected, what can voters expect from you?

Barfoot: I’m a lifelong resident of the district. I’m a husband, a father, business owner and a Christian. The residents of District 25 will always be able to reach me and to discuss any issues that are important to them. I will never forget that senators are there to represent the people of the District and that is who I work for. I will always put people over politics.

Sadler: Voters can expect transparency and accessibility. This Senate seat belongs to the people in the district, not just one person.